Ohio State coach Ryan Day lost his offensive coordinator, Brian Hartline, to the USF Bulls. Hartline took the Bulls job to replace Alex Golesh, who took the Auburn Tigers job last week.
Despite accepting the USF job, Hartline, who resumed playcalling duties after the departure of Chip Kelly, is expected to remain with the No. 1 Buckeyes during their national championship defense which has a 23.9% chance of succeeding, according to PFSN’s College Football Playoff Meter.
Insider Links Former NFL Coach to Ryan Day’s O.C. Position
During this week’s segment of “The Beat With Austin & Birm,” podcast, college football insider Jeremy Birmingham linked former New York Giants coach Brian Daboll with the Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator position.
“This is not something where you have to hire someone who is the offensive coordinator and the wide receivers coach,” said Birmingham. “Because of the fluid nature of the coaching staff, I don’t think it’s something that’s gonna be solved quickly. If I was picking today, that’s where my mind would go (Daboll). This is likely to go seven weeks until the season is over for Ohio State.
“A guy like Brian Daboll makes sense to me, even more than Chip Kelly. The name that Ryan Day settles on is not likely to be one that people are talking about. I would imagine there’s been a phone call with Brian Daboll already, that would surprise me if there hasn’t. The resume and experience are too good.”
In his fourth season at the helm of the Giants, Daboll was fired after a 2-8 start to the season. The former NFL coach was the Alabama Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator under Nick Saban during their 2017 national championship-winning season.
Day Confirms Hartline’s Move Was Done Properly
Hartline was announced as the Bulls coach on National Signing Day, but during his news conference, Day confirmed that the timing of the move was handled properly by the departing offensive coordinator and that potential recruits were informed promptly.
“We’ll do a quick team meeting here and kind of let the team know,” Day said. “He (Hartline) was able to let the wide receivers know and the recruits know. I’m really happy for him and his family.
“The fact that he gets the opportunity to do this, he’s put in a lot of hard work here at Ohio State as a player and now as a coach. That’s part of the profession. As a head coach, it’s gratifying to see one of your assistants get one of these opportunities.”
Hartline’s absence will leave a huge hole at Ohio State, as over the years, he has developed a reputation as a master recruiter, especially of wide receivers. Since 2022, he has molded five first-round picks, including Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Emeka Egbuka, Chris Olave, and Marvin Harrison Jr.